Educators are innovators.
In 2010 Laniesha Merritt saw there was a pressing need for dedication in providing support and inspiration to the youth in the community, who were also eager to pursue dreams of their own but lacked experience and support. Thus Own Your Dream non-profit foundation was established. Merritt plowed ahead with no money, material or paid staff, she began producing talent and fashion shows for youth ages 6-17.
In working with the youth, Merritt recognized there was a greater need for these kids, especially the teens. They lacked a safe space to discuss the everyday, hard life issues they were facing. These barriers made it difficult for them to focus on making their dreams reality. To address that need, Merritt designed a curriculum for the kids whom she calls “Dream Seekers”. The Dream Seekers would now have access to productive, healthy interests such as; cooking, photography, music productions, and dance. Academics are a priority so tutoring, homework assistance and STEM programs. They also have access to outreach programs such as a Teen Summits, workshops addressing problems as serious as gang involvement, drug use, the risk of unwanted pregnancies and HIV/STDs. It was important to have a platform for the youth to be comfortable in having an honest and solution driven discussion.
Merritt recruited older youth and adults who lived and experienced the same circumstances as these kids, but had come out on the other side to find paths of stability to live a more productive life. The more successful Own Your Dream becomes the more lives it will change and that’s a WIN WIN for the children, parents and the community. So it’s safe to say the story of Own Your Dream is still being written.